The safe and efficient operation of nuclear plants is a necessity for long-term energy production without increased global carbon burden. Materials technology is a key foundation upon which the nuclear technology of today prospers and the technology of tomorrow will succeed.
Environmentally-induced materials degradation represents a significant fraction of materials related problems in today’s nuclear power plant operation. Under extended lifetimes to 60 years or potentially longer, understanding materials degradation will be even more important as these issues are of concern for both economic and safety reasons. Understanding today’s materials problems is also critical for the future in advanced light water reactors.
The purpose of this conference is to foster an exchange of ideas about such problems and their remedies in water-cooled nuclear power plants of today and the future. This highly informative and thought-provoking forum offers insight into material problems facing nickel base alloys, stainless steels, pressure vessel & piping steels, zirconium alloys, and other alloys in relevant water environments. This will include a look at pressure boundary components, reactor vessels and internals, steam generators, fuel cladding, irradiated components, fuel storage containers, and balance of plant components & systems.
